FG debunks document alleging plan to arrest opposition figures
By Kunle Sanni –
The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed as false a document circulating online that alleges plans to unlawfully arrest, detain and prosecute opposition political figures.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the document as fabricated and said it falsely claimed the existence of a multi-agency task force under a supposed programme tagged “ADP4VIP” (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons).
According to the government, the document alleges that a task force involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, was set up to target prominent opposition figures without due process.
The federal government rejected the claims in their entirety, stating categorically that no such programme or task force exists.
The statement further said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains focused on its core priorities, including economic reforms, tackling insecurity, expanding trade opportunities and restoring investor confidence.
“The attempt by some opposition elements to portray lawful accountability as political persecution is a dangerous distraction aimed at shielding certain individuals from the reach of the law,” the government said.
Reaffirming its commitment to constitutional governance, the government cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the rights to freedom of association and assembly. It noted that President Tinubu, whom it described as a committed democrat, has sworn to uphold these constitutional protections.
The statement emphasised that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where law enforcement and judicial institutions are expected to operate independently, professionally and in the national interest, without political interference.
